ARC Review: No Tomorrow by Carian Cole

 

I am a huge fan of Carian Cole's. Everything I have read from her I have loved. This book was no easy story to read though, and I love that Carian Cole isn't afraid to push her readers as well as her characters. There are a lot of rough topics here that she handled really well and I honestly cannot wait for more from her. 

Blue and Piper met while he was homeless and despite all the reasons they shouldn't work, they did. But several years later, they are no longer together though neither one can get the other off their mind. Now he is a star, loved by the world for his talent, but Piper has always just loved him for being Blue. Blue has never been stable though, and with a wake of destruction left behind everywhere he goes, Piper hopes that maybe this time things will be different for their future. 

I loved both Piper and Blue. I will say there were times I was frustrated with each, but honestly I couldn't get enough of them. Their love and chemistry was clear right from the start. Their circumstances and obstacles were what kept them from having an easy road, but their feelings were never something I questioned. Blue was a beautiful soul, but he had so much going on with him and my heart broke for him. I just wanted him to get sorted out so that things would be better for everyone, including him. Piper was great. Loving and supportive, she was great with Blue. My heart broke for her as well with everything she went through. I cannot even imagine the strength it took to go through what she did and to never give up. These two were everything, and it was always clear that they were made for one another. 

This book wasn't an easy story to read, it was emotional and heartbreaking. But it was also beautiful and totally worth it in the end. I loved it as I've loved everything I've read from Carian Cole and I honestly can't wait for more from her. This one was one of the best books I've read all year long and it really changed the way I look at things. 

 **ARC Provided by L. Woods PR**

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ARC Review: War of Hearts by Julia Sykes

War of Hearts was my first book by Julia Sykes and even though it was said to be a standalone, I would disagree. I found out after reading that there was a prequel called Battle For Love which I hadn't read and it might have helped me from feeling as though I was thrown into a story already in progress. That was a big problem for me here and unfortunately the story just didn't recover for me. 

I felt like the blurb was misleading here and the story definitely didn't go as I expected it to. It was supposed to be a mafia story with darkness and danger, yet it didn't feel like one at all to me. Having read and enjoyed plenty mafia romances over the years, this one just didn't hold up. It is a menage and while the sex between the characters was hot, I feel like that was all there was here. It was primarily sex scenes with very little story or character development in between.

If you are just looking for something erotic and full of sex, you might enjoy this one. I wanted more story though and I there were a few other things that didn't quite work for me. Besides feeling as though I had missed part of the story here, when it came to Joseph and Marco things didn't feel quite right to me. It felt off and as though things were forced and not genuine when it came to them and their relationship with Ashlyn together. 

While this story had a lot of promise, for me it just didn't work. I had hoped for more with the blurb and sexy cover, but in the end it wasn't what I had been expecting. I am not sure that I would read more from Julia Sykes after this, even though at this point I am a bit curious to see if reading the prequel would have helped at all here. If you are just looking for a sexy menage filled with sex, you might give this one a go after reading the prequel.

**ARC Provided by L. Woods PR**

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ARC Review: The Thing About Love by Kim Karr

I am a huge Kim Karr fan, so at this point I just automatically add her books to my TBR without even reading the blurbs. But when I saw the cover for The Thing About Love, I couldn't wait to read the story. This book was cute and fun, and I enjoyed the light-hearted read.

Jake and Juliette got off on the wrong foot, but with a wedding to plan they are stuck with one another. The more time they spend together though, the more they really get to know one another and things between them start to change. But while things are growing between them, Juliette knows that it is a mistake to fall for Jake since he is unavailable. 

I liked these two. Jake and Juliette were fun and I felt the attraction between them right away. While things didn't go well at first, it was clear that there was something between them. I enjoyed seeing them get to know one another and felt like they would be good for one another. I will say that at times it felt like something was missing a bit though, and I think part of that is because there wasn't much angst or conflict here. While there was a small amount, it just felt like things were on the easy side and that kept me from really loving their story. 

I still liked these two and would recommend the book, especially if you are looking for something light and sweet. While this wasn't my favorite Kim Karr book, I have enjoyed everything I have read from her and The Thing About Love was no exception.

**ARC Provided by L. Woods PR**

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ARC Review: The Rivalry by Nikki Sloane

I am a huge fan of Nikki Sloane and sports romance stories, so when I found out she was writing one I couldn't have been more excited. I enjoyed this one every bit as much as I have everything else I have read from Nikki, and I loved seeing her write something a bit different. This still had plenty of steam and everything else I enjoy in her books, but it was new and fresh as well. 

Kayla and Jay meet and instantly hit it off. But as good as they are together, Kayla is a cheerleader for Ohio and Jay is a football player for Michigan. Being a die-hard fan, Kayla finds it hard to get past Jay's team. But can a connection like theirs work when they are rivals? 

Being that these characters were a bit younger than those from Nikki's previous books, there was a bit more angst here than normally in her books. I didn't mind it though, and the chemistry between these two was strong and easy to get lost in. I liked that Jay pursued Kayla and didn't give up on her. As much as I enjoyed Kayla keeping Jay on his toes, she did irritate me after awhile with some of what she put him through. I feel like part of this was due to the age of the characters. Jay was the highlight of the story though. He was great and I couldn't get enough of his charming personality. He was sexy and sweet and I really liked him. 

Overall, this was a really good story and I enjoyed it a lot. At this point I would read pretty much anything from Nikki Sloane. She is a great writer and one that has yet to disappoint me. I think readers who like Nikki's books will enjoy this one, and those that haven't read her before should definitely give this one a shot. This book has steam and is an entertaining story that will appeal to fans of romance stories of several genres.

**ARC Provided by L. Woods PR**

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ARC Review: Two Man Advantage by Toni Aleo

I thought that Two Man Advantage was a great M/M debut for author Toni Aleo. Fans of hers will enjoy this one and those that are new to her will as well. If you have read any of Toni's Assassins series, you will probably recognize some familiar faces here. But if you are new to her you don't need to worry as this is a complete standalone. I really enjoyed this story though, and this is one of my favorite books of hers to date. 

Wells Lemiere and Matty Haverbrooke knew they wanted each other right from the start, and despite the reasons they should stay away from one another they found it impossible to fight what was between them. But while Wells is out and proud, Matty's family and the fact that his dad is the Commissioner of the NHL means that he can't truly be himself. So when Wells finds himself unable to stay in the closet any longer, he tells Matty that he needs an open commitment from him which Matty finds himself unable to give. So when Matty finds out after months apart that Wells is getting married to someone else, he knows that he either has to come out or say goodbye to Wells forever.

I loved these two so much. I just couldn't get enough of them and their love was so clear and genuine. These two loved each other so much and yet both of them had some issues to deal with. The connection between them though was something that I never once questioned. My heart broke for both of them and things that they each faced, but the fact that they found a love and bond so pure and true that couldn't be broken was something that I loved reading about. The chemistry between them was off the charts, but it was so much more than that and these two truly belonged together. 

Overall, I loved this book. It was sweet and sexy, heartbreaking and emotional. It really delivered everything that I hope for in a great romance story and I think that Toni Aleo did a great job for her first M/M novel. I really hope that we get to see more M/M from her as I think that she did just as great of a job here as she does with everything else that I have read from her. I loved these characters and their journey, and I felt like I was right there with them through all the ups and downs and growth that each of them showed. I think this one is definitely worth the read and I can't wait for more.

**ARC Provided by L. Woods PR**

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ARC Review: Unloved by Katy Regnery

I have to admit that I was intrigued by this one the minute I read the blurb! I love Katy Regnery, but this book sounded so different. While Unloved wasn't entirely what I was expecting, I still really enjoyed it and couldn't put it down. Besides reading the blurb, I went into this one knowing nothing and I am so glad I did. Trust me this is one to just experience, don't go looking for spoilers. Because I think this one needs to just be read without much knowledge ahead of time, this review will be somewhat vague so as not to give anything away. 

Cassidy Porter is the son of a serial killer. Because he is the son of someone with such darkness, he believes that he carries that as well and chooses to remove himself from humanity. He lives an isolated life and believes that he is not worthy of love. But when Brynn enters his life, everything changes. 

I loved Brynn and Cassidy. Cass was so good. He was sweet and caring, and I just really felt like he was one of those heroes that was impossible not to fall for. He broke my heart at times though, and I just wanted to hug him and tell him that he wasn't his father and deserved so much more than he thought. Brynn was another character that I really felt for. She had been through a lot, and I can't even imagine going through what she did. But for me, it felt like they were meant to meet and that they were exactly what the other needed. 

Overall, I couldn't put this book down and it was one that I enjoyed reading. Yes it was different than I thought it would be, I was expecting it to be darker based on the blurb and it wasn't. It was sweet and emotional, while having plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader guessing. If you are a fan of Katy Regnery you will definitely want to read this one, and if you aren't already a fan this is a great place to start. Katy Regnery continues to impress me with her original and addictive stories, and Unloved is another winner from her.

**ARC Provided by L. Woods PR**

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ARC Review: Trashy Foreplay by Gemma James

I will admit that I have never read a book from Gemma James before, and the only reason I was drawn to this book was because of the sexy cover and blurb. I am really glad that I took a chance on a new to me author though as I couldn't put this book down! This book had so much of what I look for, and I cannot wait for the next one! 

With her life in ruins, Jules heads to Seattle to start over. But things get off to a rough start when the sexy stranger she finds herself captivated with on her flight turns out to be none other than her new and married boss. She knows that she can't go there after everything she just left behind, but she has never felt the way she feels about Cash with anyone else.

I know that some will have a problem with this book simply because it has cheating and I really don't want to go into detail and spoil things here. This story is worth the read and in my opinion best experienced blind. Cash and Jules had such a strong connection and chemistry right from the start, and right or wrong I felt like they belonged together. There were so many reasons that they shouldn't be together, and yet all I wanted was to remove every last obstacle standing in their way.

To me, this book is definitely worth the read even if you are a bit skeptical due to the content. Things aren't so cut and dried here, and the story is far from over. This does end with a cliffhanger and I will be honest and tell you that at the end of Trashy Foreplay we are left with more questions than answers. But the other thing I will also tell you is that I will be anxiously waiting for the next installment in this series as I am dying for more! This might have been my first book from Gemma James, but it won't be my last.

**ARC Provided by L. Woods PR**

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ARC Review: The Edge of Us by Veronica Larsen

The Edge of Us was my first book by Veronica Larsen, but it definitely won't be my last! I absolutely loved this book and I felt so connected to these characters. I was captivated from the very beginning and I couldn't put this one down until I had devoured every last word. 

Mila thought that she had found the love of her life in Cole Van Buren, until he left her at the altar with a broken heart. Eight years later she has managed to fulfill her dreams when it comes to her career and her best friend Andrew has helped her put her life together. But as much as everything else has come together for her, Mila has never been able to fully move on. Just as she starts to see a future worth exploring with Andrew, Cole shows back up. Though he says he isn't there to win her back, they both quickly realize that their past might not be worth letting go of. 

My heart broke for Mila and everything that had happened with Cole. She had been hurt so badly and the worst part was that she had no idea why or what had happened. I can't even imagine being in the position she was. I was so glad that she had Andrew though. He was her best friend and I loved their relationship! I have to admit for a good portion of this story I was all aboard Team Andrew. But then Cole showed back up and we got to see that he wasn't at all like what he appeared to be on the surface. He was struggling with a lot, and the more we learned about him the more I saw everything that Mila did with him and why she had never been able to move on. This story was raw and emotional, and I loved all three of these main characters. I couldn't get enough of them and I was on the edge of my seat waiting to see how things would turn out. 

I won't spoil the story or how things end, but I will say that I thought that it turned out exactly as it should have. I thoroughly enjoyed this one and while things weren't easy, it all felt so real and genuine. There was of course one character here that didn't win the girl as with any love triangle, and I truly hope that we get his story. I would love to see more of all of these characters and I would especially love for him to get his HEA after everything here. I honestly can't wait to read more from Veronica Larsen in the future after The Edge of Us.

**ARC Provided by L. Woods PR**

ARC Review: Torrid by Nikki Sloane

Torrid is the second book in the Sordid series by Nikki Sloane. You can read each as a standalone story though without any problems understanding anything. I really love Nikki Sloane's books and I couldn't wait to read Torrid. Each book of hers I read seems to get better and she is an auto-buy for me. If you like erotic romance novels, Nikki Sloane is an author that you have to read!

Vasilije is the prince of the Serbian mafia and is known for being ruthless. Oksana finds herself pretending to be a pawn in a dangerous game and as she and Vasilije grow closer things get more complicated. But Oksana has a secret that would change everything if revealed. When the truth finally comes out will they survive or will it destroy everything?

I couldn't get enough of these two. While there was a lot of heat between them and the chemistry was off the charts, this book was less steamy than Sordid. I still really enjoyed it, but I did miss a bit of the heat that Nikki is known for. I really loved the dynamic between Oksana and Vasilije though. There was so much going on here and the power play between these two was so interesting to me. It was intense and captivating, and kept me turning the pages from start to finish. 

While I have loved everything I have read from Nikki, this series is one that I find intriguing. I love her sexy and erotic stories, but this series is dark and a bit gritty. The mafia element here makes for a fascinating world that brings not only the heat that you expect from Nikki's books, but characters that are interesting and dirty in the best way. I have never been disappointed with anything I have read from her, but if you like sexy stories and mafia romance books this series is one that I can't recommend enough. Nikki Sloane knocked it out of the park again with Torrid, and I am already looking forward to whatever she writes next!

**ARC Provided by L. Woods PR**

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ARC Review: Low Blow by Kristen Hope Mazzola

Low Blow is the fourth installment in Kristen Hope Mazzola's Shots on Goal series. Each book is a standalone story, so don't worry about jumping in here if you haven't read any or all of the previous books in this series. While I have liked things about each of these books, I have also had some mixed feelings on them as well. Low Blow was no different, and while I wanted to love this one there were some things that just didn't work for me.

Griff got a heart transplant when he was 16 that saved his life. Years later he knows that something is missing from his life and he knows that he needs to meet the daughter of the man that saved him with his heart. Olive is a mechanic and as soon as they meet, it is clear that they have a connection. 

This were pretty instant between these two, but I did really like them together. I felt like they fit well with one another, and the chemistry between Griff and Olive was really strong. I loved the secondary characters and how they were accepting and welcoming, it really just felt right between these two. But I will say that things happened really quickly and at times things did feel rushed. I would have liked to have seen a bit more depth at times. 

There were some thoughts and conversations here that were a bit odd for me, and if I am honest took me out of the story a bit. They just kind of had that ick factor that made me stop and ended up distracting me from the story and the connection that these two had. Again I did like the story and the characters, I just wish that a few things had been different because I really think that had it not been for those and the rushed pace at times that I would have loved this one. I think that this is worth reading, and if you are looking for a quick sports romance this is one that you might want to check out.

**ARC Provided by L. Woods PR**

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ARC Review: Cross Checked by Kristen Hope Mazzola

Cross Checked is the second book in the Shots on Goal series and is the second book I have read from Kristen Hope Mazzola. I enjoyed the first in the series and I was really looking forward to Cross Checked. This is a standalone story, though I will admit that I had some troubles with it and I did read the first book. While I think that there are some readers that will enjoy this one and be fine reading it as a standalone, I would recommend reading it in order if possible. 

After a car accident changed the life of Brayden's family, Karla helped take care of his sister. Years later, they meet back up and the chemistry between them is one that they can't deny. They start dating and things are going well, but Brayden is always waiting for something to wreck his life and finds it hard to live his life without worrying. Can he let go and see where things with Karla take him or will he continue to live his life waiting for the other shoe to drop?

I have to admit that I had a tough time relating to these characters. I didn't feel connected to them, and I wasn't invested in their story. As much as I wanted to love them, I just was never able to. It always felt like things were missing from the story and things felt rushed. There was a lot that seemed to happen off page and between the scenes, and even though I had read the first book and somewhat knew things it really felt confusing at times. I did think that Karla and Brayden had chemistry, I just wasn't able to really get behind their story. 

I also found a lot of things to be unbelievable, and that added together just kept me from really into Cross Checked like I was able to with Hat Trick. I think that there are readers that will enjoy this story, but for me it was just okay and I was left wanting more. This wasn't what I was expecting and after really enjoying the first book I was a bit disappointed here. I would read more from Kristen Hope Mazzola in the future, but this one wasn't as good as the first I read from her.

**ARC Provided by L. Woods PR**

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